The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 303: The Dark Energy (Part Two)

Chapter 303: The Dark Energy (Part Two)

"So... you are trying to say that all the impure energies out of the light and dark magic combined together to form the evilest energy possible in all four realms?" Annalise caught up pretty quickly with the meaning behind his words and the little smile that Esmeray passed her verified that she was not wrong.

"Exactly. Now you can understand why it’s so dangerous." Esme added as he stared into the cackling fire in the fireplace.

Of course, she understood.

"After reaching the peak of their cultivation, the light and darkness were given two gifts. First, they finally got the chance to go out of the empty world of Primordial Realm and second, they could finally take human forms. But the dark energy didn’t like it when light and darkness left it behind in the Primordial Realm all alone. Out of anger, it destroyed the Primordial Realm and escaped into the outside world to look for its betrayers." Esmeray continued with his story and Annalise listened to it attentively, not wanting to miss any information.

"Are you saying that the black energy destroyed the Seelie Realm out of anger?" Annalise questioned, wondering if she was completely wrong about her theory of a conspiracy.

But as she watched Esmeray shaking his head in denial, she only became more confused.

"No matter how angry it was, that dark energy was still a part of light and darkness, it could destroy the entire world in anger but it would have never hurt those two, unless..."

"Unless?" Annalise pressed as she felt anxious to know exactly what could have made the dark energy turn so vile that it went as far as killing one of its masters.

Esmeray took in a deep breath before he answered, "Unless it was controlled by someone else."

Here it was!

"So, you knew it, right? Someone was definitely behind all that happened in the Seelie Realm." Annalise stared at Esmeray to see him affirm her doubt and even though he didn’t actually do it, she was sure that her guess wasn’t wrong. There was indeed a story behind Seelie Realm’s downfall and even Esmeray was aware of it.

"Wait. If you already knew who was behind the attack of dark energy, then why are you helping them?" She asked as the realization suddenly dawned on her.

"I’m not helping them." Esmeray defended without even missing a single beat.

"But you aren’t stopping them either!" Annalise tried to reason.

"I told you that I have my reasons." Esmeray seemed done with the topic and before Annalise could have spoken again, he declared - "Let’s end the training for today. I will let you know when it will be time for your next session."

And just like that, his silhouette disappeared from the scene, leaving Annalise behind all alone in the room.

* * *

For the next couple of days, Annalise tried to reach out to Esmeray again but the man kept avoiding her like a plague. There were so many things she needed to ask him but to no avail.

In the end, she gave up and decided to allow the man to have some peace. So, in the meanwhile, she focused her attention on finishing the contents of the old history book and the diary.

She also used some time to accompany her familiars and train with them as per Valerius’ advice to strengthen her bond with them.

It had been quite some time since she and her husbands freed all the Guardians beasts and she would be lying if she wasn’t feeling anxious to know the story of the attacks on the Portal Hall.

However, she also knew that she was in no position to pressurize the familiars to show her the past just because she was their master. So, in the end, shejust decided to be patient and wait.

She sat on one of the high rocks at the farthest end of the clearing somewhere in the forest while watching the Divine Beasts. Each one of them was strong, powerful, and the only one of its kind.

The little snow lion exhibited an affinity for frost and ice magic. Its fur glimmered like freshly fallen snow, and its icy breath could freeze adversaries in their tracks, creating an aura of cold that chilled the very air around it. With a regal presence and an elegant yet fierce demeanor, the snow lion was a guardian of the frozen domains, capable of freezing time itself with its powerful enchantments.

The black dragon, a magnificent creature with shimmering ebony scales, commanded the element of fire with unparalleled mastery. Its breath unleashed infernos that engulfed enemies, and its wings created scorching gusts that seared through obstacles. With an intelligence as sharp as its claws, the black dragon’s ancient wisdom guided Annalise through the complexities of fire-based incantations.

The ice Phoenix embodied the embodiment of air and water, with feathers that shimmered like frost-kissed crystal. It soared through the skies, leaving trails of icy mist in its wake, and could summon blizzards that obscured the vision of foes. Its ethereal songs carried messages across vast distances, connecting Annalise with allies and granting her insights into the unseen threads of magic that wove through the world.

Pegasus, a creature of grace and agility, possessed a connection to the earth and wind. Its hooves could channel seismic energy, causing the ground to tremble and disorient opponents. With wings that harnessed the power of gusts, Pegasus could swiftly navigate the battlefield, bestowing Annalise with a heightened awareness of her surroundings and the ability to maneuver with precision.

The nine-tailed fox, a symbol of cunning and enchantment, held sway over illusion and shadow magic. Its tails shimmered with a mesmerizing play of colors, weaving illusions that bewildered and beguiled those who crossed its path. With an uncanny ability to manipulate perceptions and bend reality, the fox enabled Annalise to confound her adversaries and navigate through even the most treacherous situations.

As Annalise and her familiars spent more time together, their master-servant bond grew immeasurably strong. Their shared experiences and mutual trust enabled them to synchronize their magical energies seamlessly, enhancing their spellcasting and strategic coordination. With each passing day, their unity became an unbreakable force, capable of channeling the full extent of their combined magical potential.